To make understanding what students know and are able to do easier to
understand and explain, ACT is making changes to the Student Score Report and
the School Score Report. This session will explain those changes, some of the
rationale and highlight ways to better prepare students to succeed. This session
will also highlight the parts of the ACT and its use around the country as the
most widely used college entrance exam in the U.S. This workshop will also
expound opportunities to offer the ACT in school as part of our State and
District Testing program and different ways to practice and prepare for the test.
We will also clear up any misconceptions about the ACT. Participants will be
able to explain the parts of the ACT, the Student Score Report, and the test’s
uses to their students.

This session will provide updates to state and federal financial aid programs that
will impact your students and their families and explore some of the developing
issues surrounding College Affordability nationally. With the 2016 Presidential
Election on the horizon, both major parties are making college affordability and
student indebtedness key themes in the national dialog.

Application: High School Counselors

Presenters: Kevin Cavanagh, VP for Enrollment, the College of New Rochelle;
Michael DiPiazza, Dir. of Undergraduate Admissions, The College of New
Rochelle

3. State University of New York 2016-17 Update (Repeated in Session IV)

A new academic year brings new initiatives and a couple of changes. Join the
conversation to stay current and receive the latest information about the 2017
application process. Together we’ll explore the early financial aid application and
its impact on admission, as well as the impending launch of the electronic
transcript for NYC public schools. Learn about EOP enhancements and how
the Foster Youth College Success Initiative will further support SUNY’s access,
completion and success goals. Receive new and updated recruitment materials
and information regarding minor application changes.

4. At Risk Students: Slipping Under the Wire and Eventually Tripping the Wire

In recent years, we have seen a number of tragedies which have made us wonder
if we might have intervened earlier in these individuals' lives.While we cannot
promise that school professionals hold the keys to eliminating these incidents,
there are a number of ways that we can identify students before their problems
escalate. This presentation will describe some of the mental health risk factors
that can be identified within the school setting. There will also be a discussion
about how the different members of the school team can work collaboratively to
support students who are socially isolated or have emotional difficulties. Finally,
this workshop will address how to interface with family members and mental
health professionals in the community.

Application: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors

Presenter: Dr. Beth Weiner is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of
experience working with severely disturbed children and adolescents. Dr. Weiner
is Director of the Counseling, Psychology and Therapy Programs at LIU
Hudson at Westchester and maintains a private practice in Greenwich,
Connecticut.

5. Suicide and Substance Abuse Deaths and How to Help Your
School Community

Death by suicide or drug overdose can place a school counselor in the role of
not only supporting students through grief, but also managing the fears and
concerns of parents, administrators and teachers. Helping the school
community understand the facts about mental illness and drug addiction is an
important part of this process. Death along with mental illness and addiction are
uncomfortable realities, but unfortunately are impacting our community more
frequently. As adults who work with young people it is our responsibility to
keep an open dialogue so that we can create help create an atmosphere where
feelings of grief can be explored and supported. However, our own anxiety
about mental illness and drug addiction can often result in either over reacting or
underreacting creating missed opportunities to respond to the needs effectively.
Instead, a calm, logical, assertive and empathic approach is required. This
workshop will provide an approach that will enable elementary, middle and high
school counselors to start and maintain open communication with the school
community. It will provide a plan and approach for schools when faced with
death caused by suicide or drug overdose, so that schools can manage the chaos
and create an atmosphere for healing as well as awareness.

6. Stereotypes and Mindfulness: Understanding How to Support
the Academic Success of African-American and Latino Students

Academic success is dependent on a variety of cognitive factors (e.g., test
performance and learning from feedback) as well as non-cognitive factors (e.g.,
achievement motivation). When African American and Hispanic students
confront stereotypes about their racial or ethnic group while in school, these
experiences may negatively influence their academic performance. While schools
must make significant efforts to change their culture so that it is more inclusive,
at the individual level, mindfulness strategies may help African American and
Hispanic students disregard and/or cope with these experiences. The presenters
will describe how stereotypes affect the academic performance of students and
will then present the research that supports mindfulness as a way to buffer the
impact of stereotypes on performance.

Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors and College Personnel

School counseling services are an essential component of a district's response to
intervention process. Learn to develop and analyze school counseling activities
with a pyramid-of- intervention framework. Create personalized learning plans
idetifying counseling services at different levels of intervention as strategies for
student achievement.

9. The Developing Adolescent: Everything School Counselors
Need to Know

This lively, active and engaging presentation on adolescent development offers
school counselors a holistic context for working with adolescents. Highlighting
cutting edge research into the hormonal, neurological, cognitive, and behavioral
changes associated with adolescence, participants will also learn and practice
ready-to- implement approaches for various school-based and external
interventions. Attendees will also learn strategies to enhance collaboration
amongst all stakeholders.

Do you find it challenging to connect with parents? Do you dread making the
phone call home? This session will provide insight and practical information on
ways to partner with the families of your students. It will give you positive ways
to interact with parents and connect to them to gain their confidence and
cooperation throughout the school year. As school counselors, you have
numerous occasions to work with parents and caretakers and you can have a
great impact on attendance of students, academic achievement and social
growth. Your relationship with parents determines how well they will respond to
your suggestions and your ability to help their child. This workshop will
reinforce skills already learned, present new ones and assist with difficult
situations through discussion.

“It’s not about how much money you make. It’s how much you keep!” The
uncertainties of the stock market and the economy make it difficult to plan a
financially successful retirement. Regardless, it is imperative to educate yourself
and prepare for your financial future. In this workshop, you will learn proven
strategies for retirement planning. You will learn effective methods to optimize
and manage your 403b, 457 plans and other investments, prudent college saving
techniques, maximize your Social Security benefits and protect your investments
against rising healthcare costs.

To make understanding what students know and are able to do easier to
understand and explain, ACT is making changes to the Student Score Report and
the School Score Report. This session will explain those changes, some of the
rationale and highlight ways to better prepare students to succeed. This session
will also highlight the parts of the ACT and its use around the country as the
most widely used college entrance exam in the U.S. This workshop will also
expound opportunities to offer the ACT in school as part of our State and
District Testing program and different ways to practice and prepare for the test.
We will also clear up any misconceptions about the ACT. Participants will be
able to explain the parts of the ACT, the Student Score Report, and the test’s
uses to their students.

Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Carl Forbes, American College Testing, Client Relations

13. Financially Ready for College

Building a successful college-going culture begins with early education and
planning. You can help by introducing middle & elementary school parents to
savings and financial aid concepts while they still have time to plan. This session
will provide an entry-level glimpse at financial aid concepts, various savings
options, including New York's 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan.
A representative from Ascensus College Savings, the Program Manager for NY’s
529 will share what other districts are doing and provide resources you can
incorporate to engage parents as they plan for college. It’s a great addition to any
PTA, College Planning or Financial Aid Night! Join today’s workshop or learn
more by visiting www.ny529atwork.org.

Application: Elementary and Middle School Counselors

Presenter: George Makras, New York’s 529 College Savings Program

14.Using Music to Support Student Academic, Personal-Social,
and Career Development

Music can serve as a very powerful tool to inspire and motivate students towards
achieving academic, personal-social and career goals. This presentation will share
strategies that school counselors may use to integrate music in their classroom
guidance curriculum and other aspects of their comprehensive school counseling
programs. Implications for individual, group, classroom and whole school
interventions are explored. The importance of music as a transformative,
inspirational and unifying tool will be highlighted.

Applications: Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors & Administrators

Presenter: Dr. Charles Edwards, Brooklyn College, City University of New
York

15. Supporting the Psychological and Educational Needs of Students
with Chronic Illnesses

Chronic illness impacts the daily and long term functioning of students in
complex and myriad ways. Students with chronic illness are likely to face
practical barriers to educational success including illness and treatment related
absences, inability to participate in some school activities, and difficulty
concentrating. Medical issues can often be perceived as falling outside the
domain of teachers and, to some extent counselors and psychologists, but
chronic health problems can be associated with social and psychological
challenges. Students may face uncertainty about their futures and feel isolated,
embarrassed, and invalidated. Counseling professionals who are able to support
the practical and emotional needs of students with chronic illnesses can be
immensely valuable in fostering their personal growth. School counselors can
facilitate communication among doctors, nurses, parents, students, and teachers,
and attend to any emotional consequences of illnesses that may be present.

What do 5.5 million students and over 70,000 high school educators all have in
common? That’s easy… MyCollegeOptions®! Participating in the
MyCollegeOptions® Post-Secondary Planning Survey® provides a valuable, no-
cost service to college-bound teens. At the same time, it's a powerful tool for
guidance counselors and teachers. By providing students with the opportunity to
communicate with our nearly 1,500 member institutions, they'll be able to receive
valuable information directly from colleges and universities seeking students with
particular interests and qualifications. By participating in the program counselors
and administrators will receive powerful data analytics to help you and your
colleagues make important decisions regarding curriculum development, budget
for resource needs/requirements, etc. to insure that your students can fulfill their
career goals. Come, join the conversation!

Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Sherri Gilmore, Regional Director, Member Services, National
Research Center for College and University Admissions

17. Embracing Change without Stress

As the new school counseling regulations phase in how will you get started
without getting overwhelmed? This session will help you explore the
components of comprehensive school counseling and utilize user friendly tools
that will help you organize your work whether you are an intern, a new
counselor, or an experienced professional. Learn how to take one step at a time
and find the best approach for you to take positive steps towards developing and
implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.

Suicide is an ever-present risk in our schools, yet some school counselors may
not feel sufficiently trained or supported to evaluate and provide services to
students in need. This creates a paradox, where you as school counselors are on
the front lines and are held responsible for students’ well-being, but you may feel
scared or unsure what to do when faced with a suicidal student. It is normal to
feel apprehensive with a student in crisis, yet there is a lot you can do. This
session will help elementary, middle, and high school counselors lean in to their
roles in working with students at risk of suicide. Topics covered will include
how to assess the level of risk of a suicidal student, choosing appropriate services
and referrals for students in need, and maintaining a culture of prevention in the
school setting.

This workshop will cover the basics issues surrounding working as a school
counselor with transgender youth within a school context. In an interactive
format, participants will learn awareness and knowledge of the developmental
issues surrounding transgender youth and their families, as well as best practices
and resources for working with this population.

From general business to specialized studies in business – and everything in
between – learn about these degrees at SUNY’s two and four-year colleges
through this session. We’ll explore business degrees and how they’ll prepare
students for work in a multitude of fields, such as accounting, sales, marketing,
human resources, international commerce, hospitality, and office
administration. This session will also include labor market data and an
admissions overview.

This presentation will provide an overview of the literature on the unique needs
of children living in poverty and the impact of poverty on school achievement
(Lacour & Tissington, 2011; Wight, Chau, & Aratani, 2011). A model for
conceptualizing counseling children living in poverty will be introduced (I-
CARE; Foss-Kelly, Generali, & Kress, under review). Participants will reflect on
the impact of poverty. They will be provided with strategies to cultivate
counseling relationships with children and their families. The presentation will
highlight the importance of acknowledging realities, removing barriers and
expanding on the strengths of students living in poverty.

22. Will or Do You Have Enough Money to Retire? Cracker Barrel
Session

In addition to the workshop “Will or Do You Have Enough Money to Retire?”,
this Small Group Session is an opportunity to have your individual questions
answered about safely managing your investments, maximizing your Social
Security benefits, planning your retirement, prudently saving for college savings,
and protecting your investments from rising nursing home and health care costs.
Feel comfortable putting your investment questions to experienced advisors in
this “Townhall” session.

This session will provide updates to state and federal financial aid programs that
will impact your students and their families and explore some of the developing
issues surrounding College Affordability nationally. With the 2016 Presidential
Election on the horizon, both major parties are making college affordability and
student indebtedness key themes in the national dialog.

Application: High School Counselors

Presenters: Kevin Cavanagh, VP for Enrollment, the College of
New Rochelle; Michael DiPiazza, Dir. of Undergraduate Admissions, The
College of New Rochelle

Come hear the latest information about critical 2016-17 updates on K–12 College Board programs, focusing on the SAT Suite of Assessments®, how score reports can help student skills, the Khan Academy connection, and upcoming changes to the 2017-18 FAFSA. Participants will be provided with tools and resources that will help guide your students to college and career success. Secure your spot now and connect face-to- face with other school counselors in your area. Come with questions and join us for what is sure to be a lively session!

Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Shameek Robinson, the College Board, Middle States Region; Matthew Zarro, the College Board, Middle States Region

25. Caring for Others, Caring for Self

We all know the importance of self-care, but sometimes it’s not easy to practice
in the midst of endless demands. Often self-care is put to the side, while care for
students is prioritized. This workshop will present strategies for turning the
compassion you have for your students toward yourself to replenish your internal
resources and prevent burnout. We will troubleshoot around some common
things that get in the way of self-care and discuss practical tools to alleviate
stress, such as mindfulness techniques through technology. Together we will
explore how to work with difficult emotions in a sustainable way and bring back
the joy of working with your students.

26. The Internship and the First School Counseling Job: Surviving and Thriving (Extended session 12:10 - 2:10)

This workshop is designed to prepare both school counseling interns, recent graduates and the newly employed for entry into professional school counseling. All attendees are invited to share their experiences. A panel presentation by school counselors, administrators and leaders in the field will be followed by open discussion and interaction among the panel and attendees. The crucial role of the school counseling internship and the need for continuing professional development will be discussed. An update on currently acceptable standards for surviving the application process including constructing cover letters and résumés and managing the interview will be provided. Professional and multicultural competencies and skills required of the effective school counselor from the perspectives of an administrator, a Director of Guidance, a School Counselor and two Counselor Educators, will be presented.

Application: New & Prospective School Counselors: Elementary, Middle, & High

A new academic year brings new initiatives and a couple of changes. Join the
conversation to stay current and receive the latest information about the 2017
application process. Together we’ll explore the early financial aid application and
its impact on admission, as well as the impending launch of the electronic
transcript for NYC public schools. Learn about EOP enhancements and how
the Foster Youth College Success Initiative will further support SUNY’s access,
completion and success goals. Receive new and updated recruitment materials
and information regarding minor application changes.

28. Google Forms: A Counselor’s New Best Friend - A Beginner’s
Guide to Navigating Google Forms

With this hands-on, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) workshop, participants
will be introduced to Google Forms. Participants will learn how to create and use
Google Forms to help tame the data giant will leave with (more) confidence to
create and share their own forms to support their comprehensive counseling
program.

29. Will or Do You Have Enough Money to Retire? Cracker Barrel
Session

In addition to the workshop “Will or Do You Have Enough Money to Retire?”,
this Small Group Session is an opportunity to have your individual questions
answered about safely managing your investments, maximizing your Social
Security benefits, planning your retirement, prudently saving for college savings,
and protecting your investments from rising nursing home and health care costs.
Feel comfortable putting your investment questions to experienced advisors in
this “Townhall” session.

Counselors focus most of their professional time helping clients to meet their
needs and goals, often encountering very draining and stressful issues such as
anxiety, depression, drug abuse, chronic illness, disability, and violence. In their
personal lives, many counselors struggle to balance work and family demands.
Research shows that the time that is sacrificed tends to be personal time. This
workshop will review strategies for counseling professionals to engage in the
self-care necessary to make them more effective and more satisfied in their
personal and professional lives.

Universal screening involves the systematic screening of all students for a given
criteria and is discussed as a key component of a multi-tiered system of support,
such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. The goals of this session
include: (a) exploring the benefits of universally screening students K-12 for
mental health concerns as part of a comprehensive school counseling program
(e.g., the ASCA National Model), (b) discussing the school counselor’s role in
selecting and implementing an appropriate universal screener as part of a multi-
disciplinary school-based team, and (c) examining a case study example of one
school district’s pilot use of universal screening which was led by school
counselors in collaboration with other stakeholders district-wide.

Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenter: Dr. Peg Donohue, Central Connecticut State University, Department of Counseling and Family Therapy, served as a school counselor for 16 years, member of the Connecticut School Counselors’ Association

32. My Story...Heroin Addiction from a Mother's Perspective

My story is about heroin addiction from a mother’s perspective. Sharing my
story helps validate and strengthen all at the same time. There is empowerment
because I am able to speak from my heart with honesty, humility and faith. I
don’t spew numbers or facts and I certainly do not have answers to the whys and
wherefores concerning the epic sized proportion of heroin addiction infecting
our country today. Through discussion, if one miniscule bit of information given
to an attendee saves a child, young adult, husband, wife, sibling or friend then
this is my story’s purpose. Sharing Dennis’ story helps bring some semblance of
peace in regard to his death from this horrific disease that has affected so many
lives today. Most of us know someone or at the very least have heard of
someone suffering a loss from heroin addiction. Having done documentaries,
news segments and speaking to various audiences, such as Educators, students
and PTA parents throughout New York State, I know I have something to share.
This is an open and honest discussion that needs to be heard, so that together we
can start to fight back this epidemic that has taken over so many lives today.

Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenters: Donna Lee Hickey, Member of LI-CAN committee, Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church

33. From Social Media to Cyber-Bullying: Children's Online Lives and the Dangers They Encounter

No longer can children and teens retreat to the safety of their homes to escape or
de-stress from neighborhood or school bullies. The internet has become their
playground and it’s active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bullies now use the
internet to reach their victims and to groom their cronies. With email, instant
messaging, texting, blogging, and photo-based social media sites, all kids become
potential targets. Bullies gain courage and momentum hiding behind the screen;
with anonymity they further unleash their aggression. This presentation will
present cyberbullying statistics, tactics, and its impact on kids of all ages. The
audience will gain an understanding of the long-lasting effects of cyberbullying
on children’s functioning in the home, socially, and in school. Strategies to
combat cyberbullying from individual to small-group, to school-wide programs
will be presented.

Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenters: Jennifer Walker, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in private practice, a
school psychologist for the Scarsdale Public Schools, and President of Rockland
County Psychological Society, has been working with children and adolescents
and their families in various settings for over 25 years.

SESSION V
(1:15 – 2:15)

34. Update on Proposed NYSED Regulatory Changes for School
Counselors

The presenters will describe the revised regulations for school counselors and
counselor education programs that The Board of Regents will be voting on in
September 2015! NYSSCA has played a key role in advising the State Education
Department on all aspects of these proposed changes and continues to
participate on the NYSED School Counseling Advisory Council and chairing its
workgroups. The revised regulations will require school counselors at the P
through 12 levels, address pre-service and in-service professional development
for school counselors,and update certification credentials to align with the
teacher certification process. Come to this session and engage in a dialogue with
your state counseling association leaders as well as with your fellow participants
on the meaning of these changes for YOU!

School counseling groups can be effective and valuable experiences that foster a
sense of belonging and universality among students. This presentation will give
school counselors an opportunity to learn new and interesting evidence-based
interventions (e.g. self-advocacy and resiliency skills, mindfulness) specifically
targeting social and emotional competence with at risk student populations.

Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenter: Marte Ostvik-de Wilde, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and School
Counseling Program Director, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT

36. Career Readiness - Pathways and Credentials

This workshop will give a brief overview of the NYSED Multiple Pathways, but
will focus on the CTE and CDOS Pathways along with the CDOS Credential in
an effort to provide definition and understanding of their components,
differences and impact on students. The target audience, criteria and exit
documentation of each will be explained.

This Program will provide practical advice for counselors regarding some current
legal issues which may confront them: Confidentality: FERPA issues, Parents
Bill of Rights” regarding educational records, Whether any legal “privilege”
attaches to confidential communications made by a student to a counselor;
Litigation Procedures: What should you do if named in a lawsuit, availability of
“indemnification” statutes, access to insurance, conflict of interest issues,
considerations if called as a witness; Possible Areas of Liability: Reporting
Child Abuse/Child Abuse in the Educational Setting – immunity and good-faith
defenses,References, Advice regarding credits/College admission,
Suicidal/dangerous students, Pregnant students;CSE/Special Education
Issues involving guidance counselors: Counseling as a related service,
Transition plans, Issues under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The ASVAB is one of the most researched and respected aptitude assessments in
the world.The Department of Defense sponsors the ASVAB CEP with a two-
part mission, to provide: a career exploration service to U.S. youth and qualified
leads to military recruiters. The Program is offered FREE to participating high
schools as a public service. ASVAB -CEP testing is available to students in the
10th-12th grade and to post-secondary students. The ASVAB CEP isn't just for
students interested in the military. Not all participants have established plans for
life after high school. The Program has something for everyone with
comprehensive information for over 1,000 occupations.Students gain access to
the career exploration resources during a post-test score interpretation session.
Then, they can independently explore any career that interests them, including
those found in the military. The Program helps students, who often over- or
under-represent their abilities, to accurately identify their strengths. CEP results
give students a current snapshot of their skill levels so they may improve
performance on high stakes standardized tests Go to www.ASVABProgram.com
for details.

Application: High School Counselors

Presenter: Dee Richardson, Education Officer, US Army Recruiting Battalion
New York

Although all children, regardless of immigration status, have the same right to
access public K-12 education, many undocumented students may not realize, due
to various challenges, how to move beyond college enrollment. Because policy is
continually changing, school counselors may be unaware of various ways to
support the college aspirations, college retention, and college graduation of
undocumented students. This didactic presentation will focus on the challenges
that impact undocumented students’ college success, ways that school counselors
can support undocumented students, and specific strategies that can be utilized
with undocumented students that move beyond college enrollment to college
success.

40. College Readiness, Access and Success for Latino Students (Sponsored by the Westchester Putnam Rockland Counseling Association)

With the changing demographics in our geographic area, professionals in the
field of college access must devise strategies to increase post-secondary access,
opportunity and success for all students. Many of our communities have seen a
surge in the population of Latino students. The heterogeneous nature of this
population calls for culturally responsive counseling. Our students may be the
first generation to go to college, low-income, English Language Learners,
undocumented, or have other challenges in their lives. In this session, we will
share strategies on how school counselors can develop and foster a college-going
culture even when working with a large, complex student caseload and a limited
budget. Familial ties, social capital, mentoring and peer groups all play a role in
college access. There will be time for participants to share opinions and best
practices.

41. Identifying and Addressing Adolescent Self-Injury in the School
Setting: Strategies for School Personnel

The tendency for adolescents to cope with emotional pain by harming
themselves physically has reached epidemic proportions, to the point that
students may no longer be running to you when they hear a friend is self-
injuring; they expect people to cope with their pain with such maladaptive
means. Luckily, many school personnel develop relationships with students
where they become a critical part of a support network. As a result, however,
adults in a school setting face crises quite frequently. This workshop will address
the etiology and underlying dynamics of the chronic, seemingly addictive, and
contagious nature of self-injury. Learn strategies for motivating adolescents to
involve their parents, begin treatment, and change their behavior in both the
short- and long-term. Techniques proposed can help self-injuring adolescents to
postpone self-injury, identify sources of distress, and choose appropriate
alternatives.

Application: Elementary, Middle, and High School Counselors

Presenter: Jennifer Walker, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in private practice, a
school psychologist for the Scarsdale Public Schools, and Co-President of
Rockland County Psychological Society, has been working with children and
adolescents and their families in various settings for over 25 years.

42. Will You Have Enough Money to Retire? Workshop

“It’s not about how much money you make. It’s how much you keep!” The
uncertainties of the stock market and the economy make it difficult to plan a
financially successful retirement. Regardless, it is imperative to educate yourself
and prepare for your financial future. In this workshop, you will learn proven
strategies for retirement planning. You will learn effective methods to optimize
and manage your 403b, 457 plans and other investments, prudent college saving
techniques, maximize your Social Security benefits and protect your investments
against rising healthcare costs.